Without long-standing relationships, divided by race and
socioeconomics and even age, it’s very difficult for a short-term
mission trip to avoid the trap of poverty tourism. The point should
not, should never be, enlightenment for the privileged on the backs of
the poor they came to serve. … Difficult, but not impossible.

This is a very thoughtful post backed by personal experience. I do think
that short-term mission trips can be a very good thing, but those
embarking on such trips should be mindful of these thoughts.